Help the Salvation Army. Allow the Bins.

Dear Editor:

Jim and I are fans of the Salvation Army. We support them with donations and volunteering, and have taken their disaster response, first aid and CPR classes. Over Christmas, Jim and I uncrated, sorted and stacked hundreds of boxes of toys at the Salvation Army facility in Ft. Lauderdale. The Salvation Army is one of the few charities that uses most of their money for their clients, not administrative uses, advertising or begging letters. They do good work and a lot of it.

So, when one of the hard working volunteers showed up at the Deerfield Beach commission meeting and asked permission to place bins for clothing donations, I was all for it. I was shocked to hear the commission turn them down, citing a regulation against outdoor storage.

Look around the city. Not only will you find clothing donation bins, but many other instances of outside storage. Restaurants are allowed to have outside seating, but the regulations do not say they can have outside storage.

In fact, it is NOT allowed, but many have carts and bins for storing service items. I believe some have fully-stocked bars. What is a dumpster if not an outside storage container? How about vending machines, they certainly qualify as storage.

Once again we have Deerfield Beach using selective enforcement. I hear that the owners of the clothing storage bins that are in violation can’t be contacted to remove them. Well, DUH! Gather them up for scrap if they are such egregious violations. Want to know where they are? Ask the Salvation Army guy, he had pictures of them.

What’s the excuse for not allowing the bins? They might overflow and be unsightly. Really? Well, that would be the time to sanction them, not before it happens. I think regulations similar to those about garbage cans and dumpsters should do it.

Guess what I found while reading our codes; outside storage is allowed as a conditional use in some of our districts, nobody bothered to tell the Salvation Army man about that.

I think an ordinance allowing a legitimate charity to have donation bins on public property and, with permission, on private property should be enacted. Have a heart. These are very hard times and charities are suffering from reduced donations. Charity starts at home. Let’s give it a home in Deerfield Beach.

Bett Willet

Deerfield Beach

MOVIE: Ghostbusters

Friday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.

Main Beach Parking Lot, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

“DB Film Fest” provided by Paragon Deerfield 8. Bring blanket or lawn chairs. Refreshments available for purchase. 954-480-4430.

Miami Subs Grill helps 4Kids of S. FL

Sunday, Jan. 15, 22, 29, 4 to 7 p.m.

Miami Subs Grill, 750 W. Sample Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Any Sunday in January – 20 percent of all sales go to 4Kids of South Florida.

History at High Noon

Wed. Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m.

Old School Museum, 232 NE 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Free, donations welcome. Special guest, John Cutrone, Director, Jaffe Center for Book Art at FAU.  1/19 – Wine & Cheese at Butler House, 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield, 6 to 8 p.m. $5. Items will be on sale to benefit historical society. 954-429-0378.

Democratic Women’s Club meets

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Speaker: Former Florida House Leader and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, a supporter of women’s reproductive rights. Installation of officers. Refreshments will be served.  954-942-8711.

Candidate debate night

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m.

Dixon Ahl Hall, 2220 NE 38 St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Moderated city-wide debate for all candidates running for two open positions on city commission. Hosted by The Lighthouse Point Gardens North Condo Association. Audience can submit written questions.

Save the Date: Miles for Meso

• Symposium

Saturday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m.

Hilton, 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

• 8K Run & 2 Mile Tribute Walk

Sunday, Feb. 12, Pre-registration: 6 a.m., race: 7:30 a.m.

Spanish River Park, 3001 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

Proceeds benefit Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.  Symposium features speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Raja M. Flores from Mount Sinai Medical Center. Race info.: 561-361-1950. RSVP for symposium- mesosurvivor@
aol.com or 954-303-5960.

War vs. Human Needs discussion

Thursday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.

Century Village, 159 Keswick C , Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

No fee, hat passed. R.S.V.P. required. For info contact: bobbende@gmail.com.

Cove Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Thursday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.

529 SE 13 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

R.S.V.P. and questions: DFBCove@gmail.com.

Luminotti plays The Wishing Well

Friday, Jan. 6, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

111 SE Mizner Blvd. , Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Ease into the new year with classic rock band Luminotti, playing favorites from the ‘70s and beyond. 561-750-5208.

Volunteer Day

Saturday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.

Constitution Park, Deerfield Beach Arboretum, 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Held by Friends of the Deerfield Beach Arboretum. Bring your own work gloves. Will supply water and lunch. 954-480-4494 or Jerry@ treezoo.com.

Tedder Flea Market

Saturday, Jan. 7, 8 a.m. to noon

Parkway UMC, 100 NE 44 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33064

Monthly Flea Market & More! Call about space availability – 954-942-8310. Sponsored by Tedder Neighborhood Watch & Parkway UMC.

Relay for Life fundraiser

Saturday, Jan. 7, 1 to 5 p.m.

Shoppes of Hillsboro , 2221 W. Hillsboro Blvd. , Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Get info on Relay for Life. Hosted by Team Jazzercise. Silent auction. Blood mobile on site. Vendors: $50 for booth, plus raffle gift. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society.

Deerfield Beach Green Market

Sunday, Jan. 8, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Cove Shopping Center, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Theme is health, beauty and wellness. Food items, valuable information, demonstrations and products. 954-480-4430 or www.DeerfieldBeachGreenMarket.com.

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to noon

Elks Lodge, 700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES, Drove 142. Adults: $5, Children $2.50. Open to public. 954-725-5192.

Deerfield Beach Democratic Club meets

Monday, Jan.  9, 2 p.m.

Century Village Activity Center, 3501 W. Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Speaker: The Hon. Mike Satz (State Attorney). 954-415-5658.

Pompano Beach Garden Club meets

Monday, Jan. 9, 12:30 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Scott Bryan from Secret Woods Park will talk about “The Good and Bad Fungus among Us.” Refreshments will be served. 954-943-2699.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Wednesday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to noon

NE Focal Point, 301 NW 2 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Weekly Caregiver Support Group every Wednesday. 954-480-4460.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 31 A man reported that his work van parked at 964 S. Deerfield Ave., was broken into, and $1,683 in tools were stolen.

Jan. 1 A man was arrested and charged with grand theft. He stole $381.40 worth of merchandise from Target at 1200 S. Federal Hwy.

Jan. 2 A man stole beer from a 7-11 store at 1900 S. Powerline Rd. The man escaped in a car.

Jan. 2 Two cars were broken into at 4131 NE 2 Ave. The cars were ransacked. It was reported that nothing was taken from one car. A gift card was taken from another car.

Jan. 2 A home at 1110 SW 6 Ave. was broken into. Three flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer, two gaming systems, 40 to 50 games and jewelry were stolen. Total value of the items stolen was estimated at $10,000.

Jan. 2 A woman asked a woman who she was sharing an apartment with to leave the apartment at 167 SW 1 Terr. The woman broke into the other woman’s car and stole an iPad. She then fled.

Jan. 2 At La Quinta Inns & Suites, 351 W. Hillsboro Blvd., a man approached another man and asked for a cigarette. When the other man tried to get a cigarette, the man took the other man’s wallet containing $950. The man who stole the wallet had been observed in the hotel’s lobby during the day.

Jan. 2 A fenced compound of a warehouse at 260 NW 1 St. was broken into and a soda vending machine was stolen.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Dec. 15 A man reported his vehicle parked at 2446 NE 20 Ave. broken into and money stolen.

Dec.15 A man reported that a five-piece sterling set, jewelry and a boat motor were stolen from his home at 2860 Marina Circle. He believes his daughter stole the items. The man found some of the items at Value Pawn and asked that a hold be placed on the transaction. This request was honored.

Dec.15 A man reported that his wife, who suffers from dementia, was missing. The report was made at 2330 NE 35 St. The woman was later found by Coconut Creek Police Department.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 21 A man was arrested and charged with burglary and theft of the Deli and Market at 111 SE 2 Ave. He allegedly worked with another man to burglarize the business and deprive it of $48,000.

Dec. 22 A man was arrested and charged with grand theft.  He stole five steel drums and one travel chain from BK Marine, his former employer, and attempted to sell the items to a scrap yard. The incident was reported at 3500 SW 14 St.

Dec. 22 A man was arrested and charged with stealing batteries, a shift and a cable from Home Depot at 60 SW 12 Ave.

Dec. 22 A man reported that his residence at 340 SW 1 Terr. was broken into and ransacked, but said nothing was stolen.

Dec. 22 A woman reported a mountain bike valued at $800 stolen from the backyard of her home at 940 SE 4 Court.

Dec. 23 A home at 761 Crystal Lake Dr. was broken into, and a digital camera and watch were stolen.

Dec. 23 A report was made that an individual or individuals smashed the windows of four cars and stole miscellaneous items. The report was made at 941 Crystal Lake Dr.

Dec. 23 A report was made that an individual or individuals smashed the windows of seven cars and stole miscellaneous items. The report was made at 551 NW 42 Court.

Dec. 23 A woman was arrested and charged with stealing $351.78 worth of items from Target at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Dec. 23 A man approached a woman while she was placing groceries in her car in the parking lot of Winn Dixie at 1021 S. Federal Hwy. He stole her purse and escaped into a waiting car.

RE: The Cove neighborhood

Dear Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women of the Deerfield Beach, Broward Sheriff’s Office, for their service and professionalism. This year has been a very eye-opening experience in learning what is happening to the city I grew up in.

My husband, Phil, and I were very excited to purchase a home in The Cove neighborhood, a few years ago, because, back when we were growing up, it was the premier place to live in Deerfield Beach. Sadly, now, it is mostly known as the neighborhood that leads the city in the most burglaries and thefts.

The good news is that we have a chief of police who wants to help us make our neighborhood safer. Chief Sudler and his team have committed to partner with us to reverse this trend.

On Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m., Phil and I will host a Neighborhood Watch Meeting at our house — 529 SE 13 Ave., Deerfield Beach, so we can meet and hear from Chief Sudler and the police officers who take care of our neighborhood on what we can do to stop the burglaries and thefts. We have also set up an e-mail address to distribute important information and happenings that occur in The Cove. If you would like to get on this distribution list, please e-mail me at DFBCove@gmail.com and we will put you on the list.

As the year ends, I ask you, my fellow neighbors, to join us on Jan. 5 to get informed on what is going on in the neighborhood and help us restore The Cove to the great place to live that it used to be.

Michelle Lane

Deerfield Beach

(This is just a sampling of events. For dinner, make sure you RSVP. They are booking fast!)

2 George’s

1754 SE 3 Court, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

New Year’s Eve specials, LIVE entertainment, champagne toast and party favors. 954-421-9272.

Barracuda

1965 NE 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

New Year’s Eve 4-course dinner with complimentary champagne. 954-531-1290.

City Pub

956 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

LIVE entertainment, complimentary champagne, party favors, hors d’oeuvres, dessert. 954-427-8213.

Cucina Orecchio

1825 E. Sample Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Prix fix New Year’s Eve menu. 954-946-7585.

First Night 2012

4 p.m. to midnight

600 Block, Atlantic Avenue East, Delray Beach, FL

www.downtowndelraybeach.com/first-night.
First Night Buttons: $10 in advance/$15 Dec. 31.

Hot Tomatoe

626 S. Federal Hwy., Deerfield Beach. FL 33441

New Year’s Eve menu. Toast with bubbly. Party favors, LIVE entertainment by Robert Price. 954-480-6464.

JB’s

3000 N. Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33432

954-571-5220

Free Admission. Big screen ball drop, party favors, champagne toast. After 7 p.m., first 100 people to DJ booth get $10 JB’s gift cert. 1/1 Aftermath Party. 954-571-5220.

Holiday scam hits home

Dear Editor:

This is the time of year when we are busy with holiday preparations, looking forward to seeing family and friends. That is what I would like to be doing.

Instead of last-minute shopping and gift wrapping, I am cleaning fingerprint dust off nightstands, doors, jewelry boxes and filing cabinets.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, we were lured into our backyard on the pretense that a neighbor cutting his foliage was going to have it fall into our yard. We were kept in the backyard long enough for someone else to enter our house and steal our possessions.

I hope that everyone will remember: Do not open your doors to strangers and do not get lured away from your door for even a second. It’s not the first time this has happened in The Cove area.

We always feel safe in our own homes, which is the way it should be, but those days may be gone, which is really sad. My family has lived in this house since 1957.

My wish for everyone is to have a safe holiday, and a safe year.

Sallie E. Jenkinson

Deerfield Beach

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 8 An individual reported a car break-in at 3135 Lakeshore Dr. Nothing was reported stolen.

Dec. 8 A woman who works at Target reported her car stolen from the store parking lot at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Dec. 9 A man was arrested and charged with trafficking in narcotics. He was found in possession of 56 grams of rock and powder cocaine at 1400 SW 9 Ave.

Dec. 9 An automobile was reported stolen from Tropical Motors at 4921 N. Dixie Hwy.

Dec. 9 A man reported that a package delivered to the door of his apartment at 770 SE 2 Ave. was stolen.

Dec. 10 A theft of six truck tires valued at about $350 each was reported at 1250 W. Newport Center Dr.

Dec. 10 A man reported his car parked at 4501 NE 2 Ave. broken into and $2 in change stolen.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Dec. 9  Auto theft, Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. between 3 and 3:20 p.m. Victims reported that unknown suspects removed their silver van from the parking lot, and attempted to steal another van via punched door lock and broken ignition column. Video surveillance revealed suspect vehicle circulating the area. Stolen vehicle entered into TT, and processed with negative results due to inclement weather.

Dec. 3-9, Residential burglary, Villas on the Green, 2643 N. Emerald Way. Victim was out of town during the above-listed days. Caretaker came over on Dec. 9 and found that the rear slider door to the residence was damaged. It appears that unknown person(s) had pried the slider door open and gained entry. Once inside, subjects stole several pieces of jewelry and gift cards. Total loss: about $15,000. Area was canvassed with negative results. Scene was processed.

*If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, please call 911.

Cove Parking Lot improvements

Dear Editor:       

I am writing this letter to give our appreciation to Pam Militello, the past commissioner of Deerfield Beach, who served four years in District 1. She worked hard to initiate the city involvement in planning renovations of The Cove Shopping Center.

At the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday night, Dec.10, held in The Cove Shopping Center, the results of Pam’s hard work shone brightly, with the tower at the entrance, Royal Palms and other tree plantings and the pavers on the sidewalks and new lighting fixtures.

The businesses have seen the improvements and are now starting to fix up their storefronts in the Key West style, voted on by citizens of the city at a number of workshops held by Pam.

We want to thank the citizens who participated in the workshops and worked so hard to help with the vision that is now a reality.We know that Pam does not expect accolades, but we think she deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments.

The Original “Save Our Beach” Group Membership

Marge Hilton – OSOB PAC Chairman

Deerfield Beach

Holiday Shopping Advisory

Dear Editor:

I was at Boca Town Center mall on Friday afternoon, 3 p.m., walking out to my car from Saks, right out the front door, just five cars down. As soon as I got in the car, there was a man pulling on my door handle and knocking on the window.  Fortunately for me, I always lock my doors as soon as I get in my car.  There was a woman in the car behind me, waiting for my parking space. The man walked over to her car, pulled on the door and knocked on the window.  I drove out of the parking area, called 911, told the security guard and later called Saks to tell them what was going on.  The only agency that was interested in what had happened was Saks.

So I posted the incident on my Facebook page and one of my friends said the exact same thing happened to her last week.  Then today, I was getting my hair done and talking to some ladies at the salon and warning them of what has been going on.  Another lady told me that two weeks ago, her friend got robbed outside Bloomingdale’s outside Boca Town Center!  The girl had reported it to mall security and Bloomingdale’s, and they just blew her off.

The public needs to be aware.

Colleen

Lighthouse Point

Editor’s note: Monday, Dec. 12, was the four-year anniversary of the still-unsolved shooting of a woman and her daughter in a black SUV parked at the Boca mall. Security measures have reportedly been increased and cameras installed since. Unfortunately, panhandlers and criminals prevail at holiday time. See Winter Frauds and Scams, pg 17. to better protect yourself.